I’ve had a handful of people ask why the speed networking session was dropped from the Affiliate Summit agenda.
Back in 2003 when I came up with the idea to have speed networking (hybrid of speed dating and networking) at the conference, we had a comparably small crowd.
As we’ve scaled up, the speed networking concept has become more problematic. The more people that sign up, the more difficult it is for everybody to get the arranged matches the request.
Combine that with no shows and the occasional glitch in the matchmaking process, and you’ve got an idea that has seen better days.
So anyway, the next Affiliate Summit (taking place July 9-11) will feature a new method for networking magic – Bingo Networking.
The way this will work is that as you enter the General Session room, you will drop your business card in the Bingo Networking box. You will then be given a bingo card where you will write your name in the center square.
Next, you circulate with everyone throughout the room. To complete the bingo card, you will need to meet 24 other people, collect their business cards and have them write their names in the open squares.
Then, we will call off the names on the business cards that everyone dropped in the Bingo Networking box when they arrived. Regular bingo rules apply thereafter. The winner is the first person with five names in a row, either across, down or diagonally.
In addition to the prize for the winner of Bingo Networking, everybody that participates will walk away a winner, because everyone will be making new contacts while playing the game.
We’ve got some other unique networking events on each day of the conference – see the Affiliate Summit agenda for more details.
This will enable you to run queries for different types of attendees (affiliates, merchants, etc.) and initiate conversations. You can also get your own blog going, post in the forum, post shared bookmarks and more.
Start making your networking matches now.